Dana White confirms Arman Tsarukyan as backup fighter for Historic UFC White House main event. UFC CEO Dana White has officially confirmed that lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan who was recently removed from the plane after clash with rude Airline attendant will serve as the backup fighter for the historic UFC White House main event, scheduled for June 14, 2026.
The announcement was made during media appearances and livestream comments from White, confirming that Tsarukyan will be on standby for the lightweight title fight headlined by Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje. According to White, Tsarukyan’s role is simple but extremely important, he will train, make weight at 155 lbs, and step in immediately if either headliner withdraws.
“Arman is the backup for the White House fight,” UFC CEO Dana White revealed on Nina Drama’s Kick Stream on Thursday. “So, if anything happens to that fight, Arman’s in there.”
After missing out on a UFC title shot, Tsarukyan appeared to shift his focus toward staying as active as possible. While UFC opportunities were limited, he found competition elsewhere, with multiple organizations eager to feature his skills.
Since last summer, Tsarukyan has taken part in six grappling events across different promotions and also competed four times in Real American Freestyle wrestling. His busy schedule has produced several viral moments and significantly boosted his profile, making him one of the more talked-about fighters on the UFC roster. Dana White also suggested that other fighters could learn from Tsarukyan’s approach to staying active and constantly competing.
“Listen, the run that he’s been on after is impressive,” White said. “That’s what you should do. Listen, when you end up sideways, and you do some dumb shit, get out there and f*cking make people want to see you. And he has definitely done that. That’s a fact.”
Dana White confirmed that Tsarukyan will train, remain ready, and make championship weight at 155 pounds in case either fighter withdraws before fight night. That means the Armenian-Russian contender could be called into action on the biggest stage imaginable. In White’s words, Tsarukyan is essentially the insurance policy for a historic event that leaves no room for uncertainty.
The UFC White House event is already being described as one of the most historic cards in MMA history, with global attention focused on its unprecedented venue and scale. With the main event carrying massive stakes, having a backup fighter ready is essential and Tsarukyan now finds himself at the center of that responsibility.
Even if he does not compete, Tsarukyan remains in a powerful position. If either Topuria or Gaethje is forced out, he could instantly step into a UFC lightweight title fight on one of the sport’s most iconic stages. It is a scenario that turns preparation into opportunity and opportunity into history.
